Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 9: Organization and Government of the County, 1920

Chapter 9: Organization and Government of the County

establishment of the county As established by the act of November 4, 1858, Hall County extended "From the northeast corner of township 16 north, range 9 west, south to the southern bank of the Platte River, west along the river to the west line of range 12 west, north with that Une to the northwest comer of township 16, range 2, and east with the line of the fourth parallel to the place of beginning." That act did not consider the county seat or its location. The above description included that part of Hall County as it now exists lying north of the southern bank of the Platte River and virtually all of the present Howard County. On February 24, 1864, the boundaries were re-defined, but the act was repealed on February 15 following. On March 1, 1871, a third act received approval, which established the territory comprised in townships 9, 10, 11, and 12 north, in ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12 west, as a county under the title of Hall. At this time the territory south of the river, now a part of Hall, was thereby added to it, and the territory which now comprises Howard County was taken away from Hall. Parts of Buffalo and Dawson counties which before definite organization had been thrown in with Hall had been taken away before then and definitely organized into separate counties. The following letter, dated Executive Department, Omaha City, Nebraska, December 9, 1858, conveyed the information of the organization of the county's working machinerjf to "Hon. Richard Barnard,

"For County judge, Richard C. Barnard; Sheriff, Herman Vasold ; Recorder, Theodore F. Nagel; Justice of the Peace. WiUiam A. Hagge ; Treasurer, Isaac Thomas ; County Commissioners, Frederick Hedde, Daniel B. Crocker, Hans Vieregg; Constables, George Shultz, Christian Menck.

"In relation to your taking the oath of office, giving bonds, etc., you are referred for your guide to the statutes of 55, 56 and 57 which I believe were forwarded to you sometime since by Hon. J. A. Parker, Jr., register of the land office at this place. "Very Respectfully "Your Obt. Servt.

stated that upon the organization of the county, in 1859, the first officers elected were : Probate judge, Fred Hedde; county clerk, Theo. Nagel; county commissioners, Hans W'rage, James Vieregg, Henry Egge; justices of the peace, WilHam Stolley, R. C. Barnard ; sherift', Herman Vasold; treasurer. Christian Andresen ; assessor, Frederick Doll ; constables, Christian Menck, Matthias Gries.

First Records

The first entry made appears : "November 8th. 1862. Today appeared Johannes Wallichs. who at the late election, held October 14th, 1862 in Hall Co. was elected justice of the peace and wished to be sworn in." On November 28, 1862, Joachim Selkin took the oath as constable and on December 1, 1862. Theodore Nagel was sworn in as commissioner. The first case in his court is entitled Philip Feldman vs. John Windolph. the former demanding $75 from Windolph for opening a letter belonging to plaintiff and failing to forward it. In September Jacob Weidig charged Charles Peterson with threatening to kill, but witnesses failing to prove such charge the defendant was set at liberty. On October 14, 1863, Charles Boehl sued John Verges for $48.25, consideration for mowing and raking hay as employee of Verges. The hearing of this case occupied the attention of the court for three days, and resulted in a judgment for plaintiff in the sum of $39.20 and costs. Justice Hedde was a "squire" in all respects, for on November 12, 1863, he recorded : "Today were married by me : James Harrison and Lucinda Shoemaker, in the presence of Henry Leach and Amanda Plurley - License given in absence of probate judge, by Co. Clerk. F. Evans."

On [March 1. 1869, Justice Hedde married Henr\- Schoel and Mary Becker, and the next entry records a complaint filed against Charles Peterson for threatening to kill John Windolph. Charles Peterson signed an abject apology which Windolph declared he was satisfied with, and the proceedings were dropped. On ]\larch 20, 1864, John H. Staats and Sophia Wilson were joined in the bonds of matrimony. William \\'asmer and Fred Bhonsan complained that their fences were destroyed and posts carried away by certain unknown parties. On May 15, 1864, the^ justice journeyed to the house of Mr. Knapp at Wood River and joined in matrimony Cornelius Hurley to Airs. Elizabeth Owens. In June a jury in justice court gave John Moser a $15 judgment against J. Michelson. William Behrens took his oath of office as justice of the peace, on November 4, Justice Hedde performed the ceremony of marriage for Johannes A. Wallichs and Gretje Sahn, and on December 23, 1864, signed his name for the last entry as justice of the peace. On April 2, 1865, Justice Behrens made his first entry, recording the marriage of Hascall Skinner and Mary J. Mitchell, and on May 26, brought like happiness to Marx Stelk and Antje Ruger.

The first record of the commissioners is dated at Grand Island, January 7, 1867, when the county was divided into three precincts. William Hagge was appointed assessor for precinct No. 1. John Wallichs for No. 2, and William Eldridge for No. 3 ; Dr. Joseph Reese was appointed county attorney at $100 per annum ; a license fee of $25 for every dealer in liquors was ordered to be collected and the proceeds applied to the schools _ funds. On April 8, 1867, licenses were issued to seven persons, and an eighth person, Charles Hyler, ordered to take out one. The original seven were Fred Hedde, Koenig & Wiebe, J. D. Schuler, H. Stevens, M. S. Hall, John Seiers, J. Killian.

The commissioners at that time were Hans Wrage. Dr. A. Thorspecken, and Chris Wasmer, with Fred Evans clerk and W. H. Piatt deputy clerk. In July the total valuation of the county was $144,793 on which a county tax of six mills was ordered to be levied and an equal tax on the value of Buffalo County, then only $21,250. It is of interest to divert at this point long enough to show the development of the county in the next ten years.

Early Proceedings Of The Board

On July 1, 1867, the board ordered the county clerk to procure at the county's expense one book for records, one for roads, one county map, one county order book, and one blank book for county orders. Augustus Schernkau was appointed commissioner to locate one county road running east and west through the county and one from Grand Island station to Grand Island. Joseph Reece was dismissed as county attorney. Bills for services were allowed to Wm. H. Mitchell, acting justice of peace, to Probate Judge Mitchell, to Hugo Hald as county surveyor, A. Thorspecken as coroner, and Clerk Evans, also to O. A. Abbott and Fred Evans for services as registers of voters in the first and second precincts. Commissioner Wasmer resigned, and in January, 1868, Commissioners James Jackson and Hans Wrage met and transacted considerable business. Enos Beall was appointed school examiner, and Fred A. Wiebe was elected commissioner vice Wasmer. John Wallichs succeeded Evans as clerk. On August 4, 1868, the board met and considered an offer made by the Union Pacific railroad through S. C. House, "To take in exchange for that portion of school section 16, town 1 north, range 9 west, which is now occupied and laid out as the town of Grand Island station, the nearest railroad land to the said town of Grand Island station, that is, so many acres as said company has laid out at the above town site." On August 25th, action for the purpose of attaching unorganized counties west of Hall to the state for election purposes was postponed, but Buffalo County was set off as Buffalo precinct and Dawson County as Dawson precinct of Hall County. In September the board took action on the county seat matter and called an election for October 13, 1868, to vote upon the county seat question and a two mill levy for a county jail. Enos Beall, Robert Mitchell, and Mr. Voitle were appointed judges and O. A. Abbott and Wm. H. Piatt, clerks for the first precinct; Cai Ewolt, N. Hansen and C. Stoltenberg were appointed judges and Wm. Seymour and F. Roby as clerks for the second precinct. A. Moon, S. T. Reese and A. F. Beaman were named judges and S. E. Cook and T. Moore clerks for the third precinct. The board made a request in October to Judge Crounze to hold a term of district court in Hall County as soon as convenient and the clerk was ordered to procure records for the district court. On October 31, the board found that the county seat was located at Grand Island station, and the clerk was ordered to give notice of that fact.

On November 16, 1869, the following named officers qualified: Probate judge, Enos Beall ; sheriff', Hugo Hald ; county clerk, John Wallichs; treasurer, Henry A. Koenig; justice of peace, Robert Mitchell; road supervisor, Claus Stoltenberg. E. Hooper took Commissioner Wiebe's place. In January, 1870, Wm. H. Platte was appointed justice of the peace to fill vacancy. In that month. Allen Cousins presented 53, wolf scalps, George Williamson eight, and George Stierle eight. For some years prior to this time the county clerk acknowledged receipt of wolf scalps but the names of the hunters were not given.

tion was called for May 21, 1870, which resulted in a majority of 27 votes for the bonds. H. P. Handy was commissioned to make a survey and examination of the Platte River, and on July 5, 1870, he was authorized to contract for the building of a bridge 1,900 feet in length on the line between ranges 9 and 10. The contract was awarded to Wells, French & Co., of Chicago, who agreed to have the work completed on or before February 15, 1871, the considerations being $10,000 worth of bonds on arrival of material, and $5,000 on completion of the work In November, 1870, a petition was received to lay out a new road from Grand Island station to Prairie Creek and A. Thorspecken was appointed as commissioner to act upon the same. Henry 'A. Koenig resigned as county treasurer in December, 1870, and Fred A. Wiebe was appointed to fill the vacancy. A contract for the \\'ood River bridge was sold to H. P. Handy at the time for $420 consideration, and the temporary building for jail purjjoses reported complete.

In JMarch, 1871, the newly acquired portion of Hall County south of the Platte River was districted, the territory in range 9 being attached to the first precinct, in range 10 to the second, and in ranges 11 and 12 to the third precinct. The sum of $200 was appropriated to combat the Omaha & Northwestern railroad in their proceedings for injunction against the Platte River bridge bill and H. P. Handy.

Building A Court House

On November 23, 1871, a petition was presented by L. W. Rollins and two hundred other inhabitants of Hall County praying the board to call an election at an early date for the purpose of building a court house at Grand Island station, and to vote upon the issuance of $25,000 bonds at 10%. The commissioners called a special election for January 9, 1872, but on January 2 the question came up in another form, and an election was ordered for February 15, to vote $15,000 for building a court house. On February 22nd, the board found that the court house bonds had carried by a majority of 150 votes. Messrs. Abbott and Thummel were appointed commissioners in behalf of Hall County to adjust all matters connected with the collection of taxes and adjusting the same in Adams County, which had been attached to Hall County in the winter of 1871, and also in Hamilton County. George Cornelius had become a member of the board. On March 21st, Messrs. Hooper and Cornelius, with Jackson absent, met and on March

In May the board acted upon a petition of Henry A. Koenig and 250 other citizens, and called an election on the proposition of issuing bonds for $90,000 to aid the Grand Island and Northwestern Railroad Company. The proposition was carried by a majority of 180.

The contract for building a court house was sold to John W. Graham, July 3, 1872, for $15,750, but for some reason a new contract was awarded on July 17 to Christian Anderson, D. Plunster and James Tout for $16,500, and Edward Hooper was appointed superintendent of construction. The court house was finished and accepted on June 28, 1873. On November 5, 1872, at an election the voters carried an issue of $5,000 10% bonds to be applied to the completion of the court house by a majority of thirteen votes. William Hagge was appointed treasurer to fill a vacancy occasioned by the absconding of the former treasurer, Charles Ruelberg, for whose arrest and return to the sheriff of Hall County a reward of $500 was offered. On December 10, 1872, a petition was presented for the incorporation of the town of Grand Island, and the same was granted.

Proceedings From 1873

On April 1, 1873, Dr. Thorspecken was reengaged as county physician at a salary of $18 per month. A special election was called on May 1, 1873, to pass upon the question of issuing 10 per cent bonds in the sum of $10,000 to aid in the construction of a mill on Wood River, within two miles of the Union Pacific railroad bridge, but nothing seems to have resulted from this move, though the bonds received a majority vote.

On May 26th the clerk was ordered to draw a warrant for $1,000 in favor of James M. Woolworth to assist Lincoln County in a suit then pending before the United States supreme court wherein the Union Pacific railroad company was plaintiff, in the event that Lincoln County should win the said suit. In July, 1873, the work of erecting three bridges over Wood River was undertaken and numerous new roads advertised. In August the board endorsed resolutions passed in Columbus in the matter of the injunction proceedings by the Union Pacific railroad against county treasurers along their line, and Hall County agreed to pay its pro rata costs of defending the counties against the railroad company.

On December 4. 1873, an election was held on the issuance of $90,000 of 10 per cent bonds to aid in the building of the St. Joseph & Grand Island railroad, when a majority of 214 votes was recorded in favor of such an issue.

On January 6, 1874, Commissioner Peter Harrison took Jackson's place on the board. During this session there were seven voting precincts established, namely: Grand Island, Prairie Creek, Alda, South Loup, Wood River, Martinsville, and South Platte. In 1875 Jackson returned to the board, vice' Cornelius, commissioner, and in 1876, Cornelius returned vice Hooper. The question of issuing $15,000 in 8 per cent bonds (to be known as the Hall County Canal Bonds, and the proceeds to be expended on the construction of a canal between the Platte and Wood rivers) was submitted to the voters on May 20, 1876, and rejected by a vote of 330 contra, 140 pro. B. Z. Partridge, James Jackson, and George Cornelius formed the board in December, 1876. In May, 1877, the commissioners took steps to tax lands on which title was not proved, although the time had passed when title should issue, with the object of forcing such escapers from tax paying to show their hands. There were then fifty-six school districts listed, all but nine being taxed directly. The people of Grand Island precinct authorized the issue of $8,000 in 8 per cent bonds to be expended on building a bridge over the Platte in conjuction with Hamilton County. The vote was 197 for and 93 contra. In August, 1877, C. D. M. Washburn took the place of George Cornelius on the board and in November J. W. West was elected commissioner with P. Nevills. In November the vote on "Township Organization" gave a majority in favor of the change of 478, and on the 24th of that month the county was divided into fifteen municipal townships, namely: Washington, Lake, Prairie Creek, Mayfield, South Loup, Lee, Zurich, Sheridan, Alda, Wood River, Union, Martinsville, Grant, South Platte, and Douglass. The law was declared unconstitutional, so the subject slept for some years, and the old board of commissioners stayed on. In December, 1877, Caswell T. Poe was appointed county physician, and in January, 1878, Messrs. Partridge, West, and Nevills were commissioners.

board also appropriated $8,000 toward building a bridge over the Platte at the east line of Hall County. This was completed in January, 1879. A sum of $200 was appropriated to the agricultural society to be expended in improving the fair grounds. In May, 1879, a proposition to issue $75,000 bonds to the Hastings & Grand Island raiload, received 1,108 votes for and 470 against. In 1879 there were sixty school districts o'f which fifty-three paid a direct tax. In October a proposition to issue $50,000 in 6 per cent bonds to aid in the building of the Omaha and Republican Valley railroad was submitted to the people of Grand Island and when voted upon on November 8th, received 509 votes for and 122 against. On October 9th the Grand Island railroad was reported complete and $75,000 bonds transferred to its proper officers. Work on the railroad shops of the Union Pacific at Grand Island was begun in September, 1880. Charles Rief succeeded John Wallichs as county clerk. In October, 1880, the question of expending $1,000 on a building for the poor was ordered to be voted on. Z. B. Partridge and W. H. West, old members of the Board, continued their membership in. 1881 with Joel P. Goodrich replacing Commissioner Nevills. In March a cemetery was established on the poor farm.

On July 28. 1881, the county was subdivided into the following voting precincts : Lake, Prairie Creek, Mayfield, South Loup, Cameron, Harrison, Alda, North Grand Island, East Grand Island, West Grand Island, Wood River, Jackson, Martinsville, South Platte, Doniphan. Each precint was established as a road district and the numerical order of townships one to fifteen being retained as the numbers of such districts outside of Grand Island City. In October, 1881, Commissioner Partridge tried to resign, but the resignation was not accepted. In November, Dr. H. B. Lashlee was employed as county physician at an annual compensation of $85. In January, 1882, Z. B. Partridge and J. P. Goodrich remained commissioners with S. S. Shultz, new commissioner, vice West. The estimate of county expenditures for 1882 was placed at $43,000, and of the Grand Island sinking fund at $3,000. Sixty-six school districts were reported existing, the direct tax ranging from 3 to 25 mills. The contract for county printing was awarded to James Ewing in September for $100, Dr. Lashlee resigned as county physician and his successor, Dr. Janss, was appointed at $139.95 per annum.

Whereas, It has come to our knowledge through the agency of the Hon. J. Sterling Morton, that the organization of Hall County has never been recorded in the records of said county ; and

Whereas, Mr. Morton, who as actinggovernor of the territory of Nebraska at the time of the organization of said county, has furnished a copy of the record of said organization, it is therefore resolved that the clerk of Hall County is ordered to spread the proseedings of said organization upon the records of the county.

This document is attached to Book "A" of Commissioners Records and is written upon a letterhead of the Democratic State Central Committee, showing J. Sterling Morton, Nebraska City, chairman, N. W. Smails, Fremont, secretary, and J. N. Wise, Plattsmouth, treasurer, and five members from each of the six judicial districts as state committeemen.

On October 14, 1882 a petition was presented asking that all of the territory in section 19, town 10, range 11, be incorporated as the town of Wood River, and the same was granted. James Jackson, W. L. G. Trapp, N. T. Britton, J. B. Furman, and James Ewing were named as trustees.

In January, 1883, Commissioner W. W. Mitchell took the place of Commissioner Partridge ; C. T. Poe was county physician and on November 20, 1883, the board approved several official bonds, and the work of the board of county commissioners was completed.

The townships were represented by E. C. Walker, Lake ; Peter Mohr Sr., Prairie Creek ; Henry Rosswick, Mayfield ; Frank M. Stanley, South Loup ; Haydn Strong, Cameron ; Jasper Eggers, Harrison ; George Elfus, Alda ; Stephen Jones, Wood River; Z. Avery, Martinsville; J. H. Powers, South Platte; Samuel S. Shultz, Doniphan; John Fonner, East Grand Island ; James Cleary, West Grand Island; G. H. Bush, North Grand Island; (succeeded in December by W. B. Larrabee) ; Patrick Nevills, Jackson. Hadyn Strong was elected permanent president. A committee of Messrs. Powers, Shyltz, Jones, Fonner, and Elfus reported on the formation of townships and the adoption of that report formed the following townships : Lake, town 12, range 9 ; Prairie Creek, town 12, range 10; Mayfield, town 12, range 1 1 ; South Loup, town 12, rangel2; Cameron, town 11, range 12; Harrison, town 11, range 11; Center, town 11, range 10; Alda, town 10, range lO.north of main channel of Platte ; Wood River, all of town 10, range 11, and town 9, rangell, north of main channel of Platte ; Jackson, town 10, range 12, and part of town 9, range 12, north of said channel; Martin, all of ranges 11 and 12 south of north bank of main channel of that river; South Platte, all of town 9, range 10, and town 10, range 10, south of north bank of main channel ; Doniphan, town 9, range 9, and part of town 10, range 9 and south of channel ; Washington, town 10, range 9, north of channel and all of towns 11 and 9 except Grand Island City and town of Grand Island.

This Board acted on a petition to the governnor asking commutation of death sentence of Geo. W. Hart to imprisonment for life but the same met with opposition. Dr. Poe was re-appointed county physician and Wood River Gazette, printers. In January, 1884, $1,000 was granted the agricultural society; a proposition to issue $8,000 bonds for construction of two bridges over Platte River near Wood River was submitted to the voters and received 1,746 votes pro and 670 contra, so was organized.

Second Boaed

The second board, organized on January 13, 1885, with J. H. Powers, president, cansisted of Z. Avery, T. M.Crittenden, R. H. Dodd, M. S. Drennan, G. Elfus, L. J. Hanchett, W. H. Harrison, C. B. Lewis, W. B. Larabee, E. S. Lee, John Mullen. J. H. Mehaffie, J. H. Powers, J. H. Scudder, C. Stoltenberg J. G. Shaupp, O. U. Wescott, and C. W. Thomas (who did not qualify and Jas. Cleary appointed).

During the lifetime of this board an investigation was held on charges made against the sheriff through columns of Grand Island Times, which resulted in a finding that the sheriff had received $646, more or less, for guarding jail, and that said service had not been truly rendered or performed. This resulted in the resignation of Sherifif Cannon and the appointment of E. A. Wedgewood.

Third Board

Thompson Brothers were appointed county attorneys. In July the question of guaranteed strength of the steel jail cells furnished by Mosler, Bahman & Co. was considered, when their representative Dewey charged the officials with criminal carelessness in allowing a piece of broken hinge to remain in a cell, placing in the hands of the prisoners a much desired weapon with which to break the doors and accomplish escape. Powers's motion declaring the case useless and ordering the removal by the manufacturers brought on a suit in court, and in 1889 the Mosler people secured judg-

Fourth Board, 1887 Fifth Board, 1888

The fifth board organized January 10, 1888, with Geo. L. Rouse, president. The members were: G. D. Boyce, Thos. B. Coulter, A. C. Denman, A. DeWitte, A. Z. Eager, O. F. Foote, J. W. Freeman, Richard Goehring, L. H. Hanchell, J. R. Jewett,M. D. Nickles; Patrick Nevills, G. L. Rouse, Fred Roby, F. M. Stanley, Charles A. Wiebe, P. S. Wingert, Ervin Whitehead, and W. F. McLaughlin.

The county attorney reported to this board that the United States district court decided the 400 feet roadway controversy for the Union Pacific railroad and would not recommend an appeal to the supreme court. In April, 1888, Julius C. Bishop was appointed representative of Mayfield township to fill a vacancy (by county clerk, judge and treasurer), and H. C. Moeller was appointed to repre' ent Lake township. In June John W. Farrison was appointed for Harrison township.

Sixth Board, 1889

The sixth board of supervisors organized January 8, 1889, with Geo. L. Rouse, president. The members were : Z. Avery, J. C, Bishop. John Creason, A. DeWitte, Charles Ewing, C. S. Haines, Wm. Haldeman, J. R. Jewett, W. F. McLaughlin, John F. Mader, H. C. Moeller, Chas. Moritz, M. V.

Seventh Board, 1890

Members entitled to seats on the board were found to be : G. H. Geddes, Thos. Robinson, Geo. P. Dean, I. R. Alter, -Chas. Wasmer, M. V. Powers, Geo. H. Andrew, M. Murphy, Myron Dings, H. C. Moeller, M. H. Culbertson, J. C. Bishop, Josiah Hall, W. W. Dubbs, J. W. Harrison, G. L. Rouse, Wm. Stolley, David Barrick, Chas. Ewing, O. F. Foote, Wm. Lammers, and S. S. Shultz.

Eighth Board, 1891

The members of the board taking office on January 13, 1891, were: H. C. Moeller, W. H. "Culbertson, J. C. Bishop, J. R. Birge, W. W. Dubbs, R. L. Harrison, G. L. Rouse, Wm. Stolley, F. D. Hastings, David Barrick, Chas. Ewing, O. F. Foote, Wm. Lammers, O. B. Foster, Thos. Robinson, Geo. P. Dean, J. F. Rourke, Samuel Huston, F. H. Eisner, Frank Corkins, H. W. Potter, and Jas. Cleary. The president of the board was Jas. Cleary.

In 1892 the members who came onto the board by virtue of election in November preceeding were: J. E. Hanna, J. C. Bishop, E. S. Lee, J. L. Johnson, B. Knox, P. W. Francis, Wm. Lammers, Jas. Cleary and Geo. P. Dean. Holdover members were : Harrison, Barrick, Foster, Foote, Lammers, Bishop, Stolley, Culbertson, Birge.

On January 10, 1893, the board organized with E. S. Lee as chairman. The new members were : Wm. Stolley, Washington ; O. F. Foote, Martin ; Patrick Hoye, Harrison ; Geo. A. Burger, Doniphan; David Barrick, Wood River ; H. J. Palmer and Geo.P. Dean, Grand Island; W. B. Waite, South Loup; Jacob Lessig, Prairie Creek and D. M. Alter, Center. Holdover members were Hanna, Foote, Bishop, Lammers, Knox, Lee, Francis.

On January 8, 1895, the new board organ-' ized with Geo. C. Humphrey as chairman and the following new members: Jacob Lessig, W. B. Waite, Henry Rief, David Barrick, Seth W. Wilson, Geo. A. Burger, Richard L. Harrison, ^. C. McCashland, and Patrick Hoye. Holdover members were Bishop, Engleman, Francis, Knox, Suehlsen, Lee, Humphrey, and Piatt.

The new supervisors were : First district, Z. H. Denman ; Second J. C. Bishop ; Third, P. W. Francis; Fourth, Geo. A. Burger; Fifth, Henry Giese; Sixth, C. D. Woodward; Seventh, E. C. McCashland. Mr. McCashland was elected chairman. On July 6, Henry Rief was appointed to take the place of Henry Giese.

On January 12, 1897, the new board organized with C. D. Woodward as chairman and the following members : District 1, D. M. Alter 2, J. C. Bishop, 3, Chas. Ewing, 4, Geo. A. Burger, 5, Henry Rief, 6, C. D. Woodward, 7, E. C. McCashland. On January 12, 1897, the following communication was placed on f^le: hoped, during the past year, and the price of corn and other productions of the farm are lower than a year ago, I desire to call the attention of the present county board to the fixing of the salary for the current year.

"Instead of placing the salary at $1,400 as last year, I hereby request you to fix the amount at the lowest the statutes will allow which in counties of this population cannot be less than $1,200.

"Maynard Spink, "Co. Supt. Hall Co. Nebr." The application of the same rule on part of office holders in 1918 might have brought substantial increases, but probably none of the court house occupants were aware of Mr. Spink's doctrine.

The board which was organized in January, 1898, were 1,D. M. Alter, 2, Patrick Hoye, 3, Chas. S. Ewing, 4, S. W. Wilson, 5, Henry Rief, 6, C. D. Woodward, and 7, E. C. Mc- Cashland, with Ewing as chairman.

In March John Mullen was appointed to fill a vacancy from the third district, vice, Mr. Ewing, deceased. Upon Mr. McCashland retiring in December a gold headed cane was presented to him by his fellow members.

On January 10, 1899, the new board organized with supervisors, district 1, D. M. Alter, 2, P. Hoye, 3, John Mullen, 4, S. W. Wilson, 5, Henry Rief, 6, C. D. Woodward, and 7, F. P. Cowee, with Alter as chairman.' Supervisor Woodward resigned on June 19th and Henry' Schlotfeldt was appointed by Judge Garlow, Clerk Menck and Treasurer Thomssen.

In January, 1900, a new board took office, composed of Supervisors D. M. Alter, F. P. Cowee, Patrick Hoye, John Mullen, Henry Rief, R. P. McCutcheon, and E. E. Dominy, with Hoye as chairman.

In June of this year a special election was called for August 8, 1901, to vote upon the issuance of $100,000 of bonds for the purpose of erecting, constructing and completing a court house and jail building in the city of Grand Island. The canvass of this election made on August 13, showed a total of 2,069 votes cast with 1,051 pro and 944 contra, as reported by County Clerk Menck, Will R. King and S. D. Ross, canvassers. At the same time a vote taken upon the site resulted in 834 votes for the site on Block 84 where the old court house stood and 947 for the site at First and Locust streets where the new court house was eventually erected. Architects who sought the contract for the new court house were Jas. Tyler, Lincoln, Jas. Craddock, Lincoln, Geo. Berlinghof, Beatrice, Jas. McDonnell, South Omaha, Mr. Prescott, Marshalltown, Iowa and Thomas R. Kimball, of Omaha, who secured the work.

The new board in 1902 were John Ewing, John Gallacher, J. J. Lorentzen, R. P. Mc- Cutcheon, Henry Rief, Oscar Roeser and G. W. Wingert, with Ewing as chairman.

On January 13, 1903, the board organized with Mr. Ewing re-elected for chairman, and members were Gallacher, Wingert, McCutcheon, Ewing, Lorentzen , Roeser and Louis Schmidt suceeding Reif.

By August 1903, the board was getting impatient because seventeen months after the time fixed in the contract, the new county buildings were not completed, and began to stir up Superintendent Kimball in the matter.

In January, 1904, the board organized with the new members Chas. S. Benton, John Gallacher, and E. Moncrief joining the holdover members, John Ewing, J. J. Lorentzen, Oscar Roeser, and Louis Schmidt, and Roeser chosen as chairman!

In March the board called an election for May 3, 1904, to submit the matter of the sale of block 84, the old court house site, which resulted in 632 votes for and 338 against. Under this administration the new court house was occupied and many matters relating to final acceptance and settlements came up for attention. At the end of the year County Attorney Horth reported the cost to the county of the trials of Wm. T. Turley for murder, the first trial resulting in a disagreement costing $985.03 and the second, bringing a conviction of murder in second degree, costing $844.80.

In January, 1905, the board organized with Mr. Roeser as chairman, Messrs. Z. H. Denman, J. M. Weldon, Louis Schmidt and Oscar Roeser as newly elected members, Messrs. Benton, Gallacher and Moncrief holding over. A report was made showing the new court house facilities to have cost $131,142.51 and itemized as follows :

In August, 1905, the supervisors began to have trouble with faulty roof on the court house, a trouble which all succeeding boards to date have inherited.

On January 9, 1906, Supervisor Gallacher retired and Fred Phillips came onto the board, with Messrs. Benton and Moncrief reelected and Messrs. Denman, Weldon, Schmidt and Roeser holding over. J. E. Moncrief was elected chairman.

In January, 1907, the board was composed of Conrad Lassen, Louis Schmidt, Edward Williams and J. M. Weldon, new members, and Messrs. Phillips, Benton and Moncrief holdover, and Chairman Moncrief was reelected.

The use of the old court house grounds was granted for the semi-centennial celebration in 1907. Supervisor Schmidt resigned on January 8th and Geo. N. Renting was chosen as his successor. On July 30th Richard Goehring was chosen to succeed Chairman Moncrief, whose death had recently occurred. Supervisor Benton was elected chairman for the rest of the term.

rad Lassen, Richard Goehring, J. M. Weldon, Edward Williams, with Weldon as chairman. On November 10, 1908, beginning with Supervisor's Record 8, the proceedings of the board were written on loose sheets and bound into a permanent book, and the work then and thereafter done by typewriter.

In 1909 the newly elected members were Edward Williams, Conrad Lassen, Fred Phillips and J. R. Jewett, and the hold-overs Goehring, Miller and Henne. Williams was chosen as chairman.

board were John Jewett, Arthur Schuster, S. Y. Bryson and Henry Henne. Gustav Sievers was chosen chairman, and these five with Stoeger and McDowell constituted the board. Excess fees turned in by county officers for year 1911 were: Clerk of District Court Langman, $1,011.20; County Judge Mullin, $413.50; Register Buenz, $281.84; County Treasurer Nuemann, $596.28; Sheriff Dunkel, fees for 1911, $874.55.

On January 3, 1912, Sievers retired from the board, and at the same time resolutions were sent to Supervisor Henne upon the death of his wife.

The board in 1913 consisted of Arthur A. Schuster, S. Y. Bryson, Fred J. Miller and Theo. P. Boehm as newly elected members, with Messrs. McDowell, Stoeger and Dolan as hold-overs. Supervisor Dolan was elected as chairman. In 1914 Messrs . McDowell, Stoeger and Dolan were seated for another term and the board remained the same in membership, with Mr. Bryson for chairman.

On January 12, 1915, the board organized with S. Y. Bryson, Wm. Stoeger, Fred J. Miller, M. L. Dolan, W. H. McDowell, L. T. Geer and John Sass as members, and Miller as chairman. Chairman Miller was reelected in 1916 and the membership of the board remained the same.

On January 9, 1917, Wm. Stoeger and W. H. McDowell were seated for new terms and H. J. Voss succeeded Mr. Dolan. Miller, Bryson, Geer and Sass remained on the board and Sass was selected chairman. There was no change in the membership in 1918 but Bryson became chairman.

During the year 1918 considerable improvement was made in the road building machinery of the county and at the beginning of 1919 the county has two new sets of power road building machinery. The "influenza" epidemic late in 1918 called upon the board to exercise powers as a board of health for the county; and at the November election the board submitted the proposal for the county to buy the property of the Central Nebraska Agricultural Society and conduct a county fair under the state county fair law. This received a very close favorable majority, and after some negotiations back and forth, early in 1919 the board submitted the matter to a special election called for March 18, 1919, at which time the proposal was overwhelmingly defeated. The only change in the board in January, 1919, ,was that .Conrad Lassen returned after several years absence, Mr. Bryson re tiring, Messrs. Conrad Lassen, Fred J. Miller, L. T. Geer and John Sass being the members returned and Wm. Stoeger, W. H. McDowell and H. J. Voss the holdover members. Early in 1918 the county board acted upon a petition of the Hall County Farm Bureau and employed a county agricultural agent, J. R. White, but in 1919 the board demurred to the granting of an appropriation to continue the work for another year after May 1, 1919, and left the matter unsettled, and this controversy i sstill pending in the courts in October, 1919.

County Clerks

The first clerk bore the title of recorder and was Theo. F. Nagel, appointed in 1858. He was elected in 1859. The next clerk shown on records was Fred Evans who was liolding the office in 1867. His successor was John Wallichs, who was serving as county clerk, recorder and also as clerk of district court in 1868 when the first district court proceedings were held, and he served until his successor Charles Rief was elected in 1879. In 1881 Frank Sears was elected county clerk and clerk of the district court, and two years later the office of clerk of tTie district court became a separate office and Sears served only as county clerk and recorder. In 1885 David Ackerman became clerk, and he served five terms. In 1895 he was succeeded by his deputy, Z. B. Partridge, who held the office for two terms. C. H. ]\lenck served four years and was succeeded by J. L. Schaupp who was elected in 1901. Geo. H. Poehl took office as county clerk in January, 1906, and served two terms

Gus E. Neumann was elected clerk in November, 1910, and held office for three terms, with J. E. Lyle as his deputy. In January, 1917, J. E. Lyle became clerk and he was reelected in November, 1918, for the first four year term from 1919 to 1923, under the new law. His deputy has been R. A. Odum, who has been reappointed for the new term.

Clerk Of District Court

When the separation of this office from that of county clerk was made, John Allan became clerk of the district court and held the office sixteen years, when in 1899 his deputy and brother, Henry Allan, was elected clerk, and held the office for eight years. R. L. Garrett was deputy clerk during the last years of Mr. Allan's administration. Fred C. Langman was elected in 1907 and served nine years, when he was succeeded by his last deputy clerk, Walter H. Rauert, who is the present clerk of the district court. Herman Buckow was deputy under Clerk Rauert the first term, and Miss Bessie Barbee is the present deputy.

County Treasurers

1858, Isaac Thomas; 1859, Christ Andreeson; 1869, Henry A. Koenig; 1871, Chas. Ruelberg, who absconded and Wm. A. Hagge was appointed; Wm. A. Hagge then elected for five terms; 1881, Geo. Cornelius; 1883, Ed Hooper; 1887, E. C. Hockenberger ; 1894, Wm. Cornelius was treasurer, with Arthur C. Mayer, deputy; 1895-6, H. J. Palmer as treasurer, with Mr. Mayer still deputy ; 1896- 1900, Wm. Thomssen, and in 1900 his brother John Thomssen was elected. In 1902, Frank E. Slusser became treasurer, and was succeeded in 1906 by his deputy. Will R. King. In 1908 Theo. P. Boehm became treasurer ;

1912, R. L. Harrison, with W. G. Partridge as deputy ; and in 1917 the present treasurer, Gus E. Neumann, with H. H. Meves as deputy. In 1918 Mr. Neumann was elected for the four year term, from 1919-1923.

Herman Vasold was the first sheriff, in 1858. Hugo Hald was sheriff in 1869; 1871, W. M. Spiker; 1873,. W. A. Deuel; 1878, Jos. Kilian, and in 1881, H. C. Denman was elected. His successor, Jas. Cannon, was succeeded during his term by E. A. Wedgwood, who was elected in 1885 and 1887.

Jas. A. Costello became sheriff in 1889, and his deputy, Jas. Gorman, is bailiiT of the court in 1919 and has served a short time as deputy sheriff since 1918. Costello was succeeded after three terms by Geo. P. Dean wha was shefiff in 1894-5-6 and 7. S. N. Taylor was sheriff from 1898 until his resignation in August, 1905, when his last term was completed by J. W. Eby. J. M. Dunkel took office in 1906 and held it until his untimely demise in January, 1912. Dunkel had as deputies Geo. Sass in 1910, Wm. Cords, and at the time of his death had two deputies, Gus. Sievers and Wm. Cords. Sievers was appointed as his successor, and elected in

1913, 1915 and 1917, when after his service on the county military service board he tired of the office and did not file for reelection. After a merry scramble at both primaries and election, John McCutcheon emerged victorious in November, 1918, and took office in January, 1919.

County Judges

Richard C. Barnard was appointed in 1858, and in 1859 Fred Hedde seems to have been elected. Wm. H. Mitchell was county judge later, but as his bondsmen withdrew as security, he was dismissed and W. H. Piatt appointed. Enos Beall qualified in 1869. W. H. Piatt won the election of 1873. Judge Geo. H. Caldwell after years of service was succeeded by H. E. Clifford, who was judge six years, and was succeeded by Madison T. Garlow who held until 1900. Judge J. H. Mullin then took office and has completed nine two-year terms and in January 1919 began his nineteenth year of service.

Superintendents Of Schools

Those holding this office are listed in the chapter on schools, but the list is short and may be also given here. Hedde, Wallichs, Abbott, resigned in 1873 on April 1st, and John D. Hayes was appointed. 1875, H. Nunn ; D, H. Vantine, 1886 ; H. A. Edwards, 1886-1890; E. E. Thompson, 1890-1894; Maynard Spirk, 1894-1900; Daniel H. Fishburn, 1900-1906; Margeret E. Brown, 1906- 1910; Dorothea Kolls, 1910-1918; EHzabeth Cunningham appointed in 1918 and elected for the term from 1919-1923.

Early coroners were Dr. B. B. Kelley, David Ackerman, 1881, H: J. Ring, 1885, Z. B. Partridge, 1887, J. D. Jackson, 1889. Dr. Geo. Roeder in 1893 and again in 1900; A. J. Sanders in 1895 ; M. J. Gahan in 1896, J. B. Hawk in 1898, J. Lue Sutherland in 1904 for a long term of service. Thos. O'Gorman served until his death in October, 1913, and the term was served out by H. P. Bellows ; the last two coroners were G. J. Baumann and John R. Geddes, and in 1917 i the county attorney became coroner ex officio.

Numerous attorneys served as county attorney for the county board prior to 1886, mention of most being made in the historical survey of the county board's proceedings. W. H. Thompson served in 1887 and 1888. Walter R. Bacon was his successor. Chas. G. Ryan assumed office in 1891 and served for two terms; W. A. Prince, 1895-1897. Fred W. Ashton, 1897 ; W. S. Pearne, 1899 ; R. R. Horth, 1901-1905; Arthur C. Mayer, 1905-1909; John L. Cleary, 1909-1913; Benjamin J. Cunningham, 1913-1917; Wm. Suhr,

The volume of business attained by the various county offices can be readily grasped by an examination of the amount of work falling upon the county attorney's office and the volume of taxes to be collected by the county treasurer's office.

More criminal cases are handled by the prosecuting attorney of Hall County, William Suhr, than through the prosecutor's office in any other county of the state except Douglas where Omaha is situated, and Lancaster where Lincoln is. More money is collected in fines by the Hall County prosecutor than by the county attorney of any other county in Nebraska outside Lancaster and Douglas counties.

Mr. Suhr's report is compared with reports obtained from the offices of the county attorneys in all other counties that equal or approach Hall County in population.

The report declares that the salary of the office in this county is lower than in any county where the business is anywhere near the dimensions of that locality,

The report of Mr. Suhr gives the population of Hall County as 24,000. The salary of the office in Hall County is $1,400. A comparison of the business done in this county, with that in a number of other counties is given below.

During the two years Suhr has been in office he has prosecuted forty-five felonies in district court, obtaining thirty-two convictions. One case was dismissed, the defendant being committed to a state hospital for the insane. Eight cases are pending, two defendants have been paroled, two cases have been dismissed because the defendants were in the military service or entered military service and one defendant was discharged before trial after having served 110 days. The fines collected totalled $1,050. Misdemeanors prosecuted in district court numbered seventeen and eight convictions were obtained. Eight cases are pending. One defendant was paroled. Fines collected totalled $700. Fourteen cases of a miscellaneous nature were handled in district court. In police court 175 misdemeanors were handled resulting in 145 convictions. Fines and costs collected amounted to $7,900. Twenty jail sentences were issued. Two appeals are pending. Three defendants were acquitted. Thirty-five search warrants were issued. In county court 40 misdemeanors were taken up with 27 convictions resulting. Twelve cases were dismissed and settled. One defendant was acquitted. Fines collected amounted to $925. Three jail sentences were meted out. Twenty-two juvenile cases were prosecuted. Two habeas corpus matters came up. Miscellaneous items include 46 preliminaries in police and county court.

In Dodge County of which Fremont is the county seat, with a population of 28,000 or 4,000 more than Hall County, the salary paid is the same as here, $1,400. Yet the number of felonies collected on felony charges amounted to $451. Misdemeanors handled were 232. The total fines, costs and penalties collected was $4,620 or less than half the fines alone collected in Hall County.

In Custer County, with a population of 30,000 or 6,000 more than this county, only 18 felonies were taken up. One fine was collected, that being for $100. Fifty-four misdemeanors were prosecuted and 22 defendants fined. On the face of these facts the business done in Custer County was by far less than in Hall County yet the salary is greater, being $1,800.

It is impossible to chronicle in a narrative of the space that can be accorded to a detailed history of the entire county, an account of the numerous celebrations held year by year in the various communities. But when Hall County celebrated the fiftieth annivers- ary of the first settlement made within her borders by a white colony, on July 4, 1907, it was an occasion worthy of some permanent perpetuation. That the people of the county could celebrate the birthday of their community on the same day of the year the entire nation celebrates the birthday of this leading democracy of the world is indeed a fortunate coincidence.

The celebration opened at 9 o'clock with bands playing; at 10 the parade formed. In the afternoon speaking and music was carried out. Hon. Geo. L. Miller, of Omaha, a Nebraska pioneer in journalistic, political, and legislative activities of the state was the speaker of the day, with District Judge J. N. Paul, one of the pioneer settlers of St. Paul, Howard County, Hon. Charles Wooster of .Merrick County, O. A. Abbott, Wm. Stolley, E. S. Lee and. W. J. Burger of Hall County h.3 speakers with music interspersed. In the evening fireworks, music, and a general neighborly mingling closed the day.

The officers and committees who handled the work of putting across this celebration should be named: Mayor Henry Schufi of Grand Island was chairman; Leo Cleary, acting secretary in the temporary absence of Bayard H. Paine, C. H. Menck, treasurer. Max Egge, marshal of the day.

First Division Second Division

Marshals - Ed Glover, Emil Wolbach, Charles Norris and Eli Barnes. Drum Corps - G.A.R. - W.R.C. Mayor and Council in Carriages. Chief of fire department, Frank Smith. Pacific Hose Company. Alexander Hose Company. Otts Hose Company. Owen Hose Company. Hook and Ladder Company. Union Pacific Railway Fire Department.